Clarkson names Johnson hockey strength and conditioning coach

POTSDAM - The Clarkson University mens and womens hockey teams have added a key member to their staffs with the announcement of Tad Johnson as the new Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Green and Golds hockey programs.

Clarkson is very fortunate to have someone of Tads caliber joining our staff, stated Golden Knights Athletic Director Steve Yianoukos. He brings excellent credentials and great passion. We are looking forward to Tad working with our student-athletes. I am sure he will do an outstanding job.

Johnson comes to Clarkson from the University of Minnesota where he served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach since January 2012. While with the Gophers he worked with numerous athletic teams, including mens and womens hockey, implementing strength and conditioning programs along with performing and managing all athlete testing and tracking.

Tad has a great knowledge and passion for the development of athletes and will be a big asset for our program going forward, stated Clarkson Mens Hockey Coach Casey Jones. We are excited and very confident that Tad will challenge and push our players to be their best, helping them reach their individual and team goals.

Last year Johnson played a key role in helping the University of Minnesotas Womens Hockey team build the endurance and strength to complete a 41-0 season with the 2013 national championship.

We are very excited to have someone with Tads credentials and experience working with the hockey programs at Clarkson, said Womens co-Head Coach Shannon Desrosiers. He comes from a very successful program at the University of Minnesota and knows what it takes to win at this level. His knowledge and passion for strength and conditioning as well as nutrition will surely be a great asset to our student-athletes.

Johnson has also worked with former Gopher professional athletes in hockey, swimming and basketball.

Joining the Clarkson Hockey programs is a very exciting opportunity for me, stated Johnson. It is an exciting time to be a Golden Knight. The passion of the University and the town for Golden Knight hockey is outstanding. Coaches and administrators dedicated to helping the athletes reach their individual and team goals is what every strength coach is looking for, and I have found that at Clarkson.

Johnson holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Performance and Fitness from Northern State University (August 2010) and a Masters of Education degree in Applied Kinesiology (May, 2012) from the University of Minnesota.

A native of Spearfish, SD, Johnson is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. He replaces Jaime Rodriguez, who was recently named an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oregon State.

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